Top Rumps

A class act...one of nine Yellow-browed Warblers today (David Steel)

Sprite from the east (David Steel)

A record autumn for these Siberian warblers (David Kinchin-smith)

Crossbill caught and ringed (Ciaran Hatsell)

Short-eared Owl on the move (David Kinchin-smith)

Spotted Flycatcher on the rocks (Ciaran Hatsell)

Brent Geese on the move (Will Scott)

Juv Grey Plover showing well (Ciaran Hatsell)

Red-backed Shrike makes an appearance (Will Scott)

Wednesday 25^th September comments: It’s been some day on the islands, with birds at every turn, feeding on every rock face and flitting from every crevice. The wind strengthened and birds began to fall. With many still lingering from yesterday, a few new additions were made including the islands second ever White-rumped Sandpiper and even more Yellow-browed Warblers and a Red-backed Shrike which made for a truly memorable days birding!

The Farnes never fail to disappoint, whether it’s amazing views of incredible seabirds or the incredible spectacle of migration, there’s always something to see and enjoy on here! Today’s totals and great photos tells its own story…

Totals for today: Red-throated Diver 10S 3N, Pink-footed Goose 7, Brent Goose 57N, Pintail 1N, Wigeon  482N, Teal 203N, Common Scoter 106N, Grey Heron 6, Peregrine 2, Grey Plover 3, Golden Plover 900, Ruff 1, Lapwing 2W, Wood Sandpiper 1 (eventually went west), Jack Snipe 7, Snipe 50+, WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER 1 (second for Farnes),  Great Skua 13N, Arctic Skua 7, Short-eared Owl 1, Skylark 29, Tree Pipit 2, Yellow Wagtail 1, Wheatear 14, Redstart 3, Whinchat 2, Song Thrush 76, Redwing 150, Fieldfare 3, Ring Ouzel 1, Garden Warbler 2, Blackcap 2, Lesser Whitethroat 3, Whitethroat 1, Sedge Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 13, Chiffchaff 11, YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER 9 (Inner Farne 4, Brownsman 3, West Wideopen and Longstone), Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher 3, RED-BACKED SHRIKE 1 juvenile, Chaffinch 2, Brambling 14, Crossbill 1 juvenile for second day, Siskin 6, Reed Bunting 2 and Snow Bunting  2.

Just out of interest, the Yellow-browed Warbler influx to the east coast brought even more to Northumberland with site totals elsewhere including; 17 Holy Island, 10 St.Mary's (Whitley Bay) 9 Farnes, 5 Newbiggin, 5 Low Newton, 4 Druridge, 2 Hauxley and singles at Tynemouth and Seaton Sluice.